Reply To: TRWR: Discuss the theme of innocence throughout the novel
Two different understandings or meanings of the word.
For Scott and Del, it refers to a sense of naivete, inexperience or cluelessness. They are curious adolescents, trying to understand an adult world they will soon enter and haven’t figured out. That is why they are willing to hide in Kyoko’s barn loft to watch her shower. At the end of the story, they have figured out very clearly the malice and danger of Creasy. For Scott, the innocence of naivete ends when he faces the realization he must shoot Creasy or watch his friend be killed.
For Noah, innocence is the opposite of guilt not a matter of unfamiliarity or being clueless. In fact, he and Kyoko have direct experience with the prejudice and hatred of others. The absolutely understand the world and community around them and have created a life for themselves. They are anything but clueless. It is not clear to me that the larger community of Jewel really appreciates that their condemnation of Noah was wrong and based on assumptions and prejudice.But, the people who count do. Brody and Connie do, Charlie had figured itout before they did. Sam Wicklow does and turns that knowledge into editorials and eventually a novel.
